Kienbck's disease

Kienböck's disease is a condition where the blood supply to one of the small bones in the wrist, the lunate, is interrupted. Bone is living tissue that requires a regular supply of blood for nourishment. If the blood supply to a bone stops, the bone can die. This is called osteonecrosis.

1. What causes Kienbock's disease?
2. What happens if Kienbock's disease is left untreated?
3. Is Kienbock's disease a disability?
4. How fast does Kienbock's progress?

What causes Kienbock's disease?

The exact cause of Kienbock's disease is unknown. It's often associated with an injury to your wrist, such as a fall, that affects blood supply to your lunate. It also is associated with repetitive micro-injuries to your wrist, such as from jackhammer use.

What happens if Kienbock's disease is left untreated?

If left untreated, the wrist develops progressive arthritis and loss of function, even at this young age. Keinbock's disease and can happen to anyone. For no clear reason, the lunate, one of eight small bones in the wrist, loses blood supply, (avascular necrosis) and the bone collapses.

Is Kienbock's disease a disability?

Although avascular necrosis is itself not a listed disability, if you have suffered major damage to your joints as a result of the disease, you may be eligible for automatic approval under the joint listing.

How fast does Kienbock's progress?

Kienböck's disease may progress to fragmentation within only 6 months.” Stahl presented the results of two studies performed to determine the frequency and distribution of radiographic and clinical signs of the disease and to determine the correlation of diagnostic parameters with patients' onset of symptoms.